District 97 Plans iPad Rollout, Parent Communication

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 may take a little extra time to put iPads in students' hands to prevent any potential freak-outs from parents surprised by the fall rollout of the district's 1:1 Technology Initiative.

District 97 board members will vote Aug. 20 on the 1:1 Technology Initiative, a plan to reach a one-to-one ratio of tech devices to students in grades 3-8 by 2015. 

At a board meeting Tuesday night, District 97 staff presented an updated plan, proposing to start Phase 1 next month with the purchase of 750 iPad minis and 30 carts to give to fifth graders.

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To start, the iPads would remain in the classrooms overnight until students “graduate,” and take full-time responsibility for the device, Lisa Schwartz, director of instruction and assessment in District 97 told board members.   

Following a board update on the rollout in November, the district would pass the devices on to fourth grade students. Each grade would follow the same process of keeping the iPad at school and graduating to full-time use. Students in third grade would get the iPads in December 2013, and in the fall of 2014, the plan would be implemented at the middle school level. 

Board member Peter Traczyk said he’s concerned about the timing of the rollout could surprise parents and teachers who have been unplugged all summer.

“We’re setting ourselves up for real concern from our parent community and possible backlash,” he said. “…You might freak people out,” he said.

Board President Robert Spatz said he's not worried about the timing.

“There’s going to be some parents who will say they want them in fourth grade September 1 and some will say they don’t want them at all,” he said. “If anything, I think we’re going to get more comments saying, ‘Roll them out faster,’” he said.

He added the rollout will initially only affect one in nine parents in the schools, and that students won’t be taking the iPads home until October.

Board member Denise Sachs said she’s cautious about the district’s evaluation of the progress of 1:1, as acclimating to new routines and practices in the classroom will take time.

Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts said he doesn’t think staff can delay Phase 1 much. He added teachers should be onboard, as they all received a survey seeking feedback about the plan.

“I don’t think we can delay on school reform,” he said. “…Our teachers have relied on textbooks here for a long time. I don’t think that’s the best they can do.”

He said he could ask staff to slightly delay the timeline to allow for communication with PTOs and parent groups in the first month of school, but recommended the board stick to its plan to vote Aug. 20.

Using referendum funds, the district would buy 2,050 iPad minis and 30 carts for $1,096,335 by the end of the 2013-14 school year, District 97 Network Administrator Julie Mullen said Tuesday.  In the second year, the district would buy 2,000 iPad minis for $934,000.

To cover any lost or damaged devices, each family would pay an annual technology fee of $22, Mullen said. The district would self-insure, with the expectation that it will have to replace up to five percent of the devices, and set aside funds cover costs for students on free and reduced lunch.

Read through the full 1:1 presentation on the District 97 website.

Do you think the September rollout is too quick? Tell us in the comments below.